1 A s snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 L ike a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 D o not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5 A nswer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 H e who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7 L ike the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 L ike one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9 L ike a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 T he great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 A s a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

12 D o you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 T he lazy man says, “ There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 A s a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 T he lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 T he lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17 H e who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 L ike a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 I s the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

so is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 W here there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21 A s charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 T he words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 F ervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 H e who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 W hen he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;

when he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 T hough his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27 W hoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.